I like that Obama chose films to give to Brown.

[saltpoint]

Agree also with Bread and Circus here on DU (and others) that to dismiss the gift of film is to fail to appreciate film as art.

Film deserves a high place on the cultural shelf. Obama clearly believes this. My guess is that Brown will understand the intent.

I think the gift was appropriate, especially banked off the notion that film is a very high expression of art.

Obama handed Brown a panorama of American narratives with that gift. I can't imagine Brown not seeing that and appreciating it.

- - -
edited to add:


25 great films beats the hell out of riding around Crawford in Dubya's truck.

That was the treat Bush offered to the Russian and Chinese leaders when they visited.

A ride in a truck through a wind-blasted dust basin with a moron at the wheel. Hot dog.

I'd take the films any day.

[Zavulon]

1. I can't believe this topic has inspired so much discussion.

Unless Obama was dumb enough to give NTSC Region 1-only DVDs that Brown would have to buy a new machine to play (and I'm assuming this not to be the case, because I'm guessing we'd have heard that by now), it strikes me as a great gift.

Why I bring this up: a well-intentioned friend of mine in England sent me a Monty Python set for my birthday. Look at this baby: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Monty-Python-Definitive-Outrageously-Collection/dp/B000W8AB22/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1236600171&sr=8-4

Region 2 PAL. Breaks my heart that I can't play it, but it would be cheaper to buy a Region 1 set than it would to buy a machine to play my gift.

:cry:

[saltpoint]

2. Hi, Zavulon. Yes. I'm guessing they got the machine-type right at the AFI

and that Brown (even if they didn't) has ready access to the equipment.

Your friend sent you a great thing. I wish they would standardize this gadgetry so people can enjoy their film collections.

And happy birthday, dammit.

[Zavulon]

3. Oh thanks :)

It was a while back (August), but much appreicated. have to admit, that if there was a format screwup I'd be critical about this, too, but otherwise I think it's a pretty cool gift. I'd take one, even though there are a few movies in that set I wouldn't bother watching.

And at least I got an inflatable parrot in the Python set. :)

[saltpoint]

4. "...and inflatable parrot." -- Maybe for Brown's next visit...

No, nevermind.


:hi:

[DrDan]

5. all well and good - but make the gift one-off

get them signed by the living producers/directors, leading men/women - sot something anyone with an ebay id can buy.

That is exactly what Brown did.